The region’s largest health care union is seeding the launch of a new group, Affordable RI, to talk about the affordability crisis, support what it calls pro-worker policies and run candidates at different levels throughout Rhode Island.
The new political organization held a news conference Wednesday afternoon at Bell Street Chapel in Providence to talk about its goals and objectives.
The PAC of Service Employees International Union 1199 NE is launching the group with an initial $50,000, according to SEIU Executive Vice President Jesse Martin, who also serves as chairman of Affordable RI. SEIU 1199 NE represents nurses, CNA, technicians, clerical workers, and service and maintenance workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other entities.
The group was created, Martin said in an interview, to advocate for Rhode Islanders reeling from the high cost of living “and to move elected leaders to support the issues that working people need.”
As a 501(c)(4), the IRS classification for a tax-exempt social welfare organization, the group can engage in lobbying efforts, though the IRS says that does not include directly intervening on behalf of a political candidate.
Affordable RI’s agenda includes boosting affordability for housing, health care, child care, raising wages and increasing taxes for the wealthiest Rhode Islanders.
Gov. Dan McKee’s budget proposes raising the state’s top tax rate by three percentage points on income over $1 million dollars a year, and his top Democratic opponent, Helena Foulkes, backs the same concept.
Critics warn that higher taxes will drive affluent Rhode Islanders away from the state.
Martin calls the issue one of fairness.
“You know, the wealthiest Rhode Islanders are getting tax cuts from the Trump administration at the federal level,” he said. “And I think that taxing the wealthiest Rhode Islanders, the rich, is actually extremely popular in this state.”
Martin said it’s unclear how much money SEIU 1199NE will put into Affordable RI, though it started with $50,000.
While he lauded various groups like working to boost different aspects of affordability, Martin said Affordable RI can bring a focus to the problem of costs soaring beyond the means of many Rhode Islanders.
The group is seeking candidates to support its positions while running for the legislature and local offices – what it calls “a pipeline of working people, community advocates, and values-driven leaders who are ready to step up and serve” – and plans to support candidates with training and other preparation for campaigning.
